In 1839, the idea of having a cable that stretched across the Atlantic was just the dream of a few engineers after the birth of the telegraph. In 1858, less than 2 decades later, the first message was sent across the Atlantic by telegraph cable reading "Glory to God in the highest; on earth, peace and goodwill toward men".
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So how did an idea as world-changing as linking Europe to the Americas go from dream to reality in under 2 decades? Let's take a look.
Mid-1800s communication
After the invention of the telegraph by Wiliam Cooke and Charles Wheatstone, Samuel Morse believed that the concept of a transatlantic communications network was a possibility. Experts continued to debate the idea until, in 1850, a line was laid between Great Britain and France – the longest of the time.
Later on, in 1850, construction began on a line heading from the north-east coast of America to Nova Scotia to Newfoundland.,-
It is possible to send loved ones' ashes into space, as Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols appears to have done when she died in July. In fact, an entire Star Trek Reunion flight is underway.